End of an era as Bugatti says farewell to the Chiron

After eight years, L’Ultime marks the end of the Bugatti Chiron production.

A month before the reveal of its successor, Bugatti has retired its Chiron after producing the Super Sport L’Ultime - the 500th and final edition. The farewell edition also sees the final use of Bugatti’s W16 engine which will be replaced by a new V16 hybrid for the new generation hypercar.

Since 2016, the Bugatti Chiron has made quite an impact on the automotive world. It became the first production car to pass 300mph and in 2017 broke the record for fastest 0-249-0 mph acceleration time, completing the feat in 41.96 seconds.

The final Chiron is reminiscent of the car originally unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2016. The team at Bugatti has reimagined the design using a fade to combine French Racing Blue and Atlantic Blue for this special Super Sport. Also worked into the paintwork are references to milestones from the Chiron and Bugatti brand’s history including the launch in Geneva, testing at the Paul Ricard circuit and 300mph run at the Ehra-Lessien testing track. Perhaps most important is the recognition of Molsheim, the French town where the Bugatti story began in 1909.

Use of the hand written number ‘500’ motif is seen on the exterior, wheel caps and rear wing, as well as on the engine cover housing that famous W16.

Bugatti president Christophe Piochon reflected on the Chiron’s impact during its eight years and the future for the Bugatti brand:

“With this bespoke work of art, we have retraced the Chiron’s majestic eight-year journey with unforgettable moments that have taken place throughout the world, creating legions of fans for the Chiron, not to mention its countless industry-first breakthroughs and unique world-first achievements. This 500th and final Chiron model is a fitting farewell that captures a defining legacy that will forever be etched in automotive history and paves the way to a bright new chapter, starting with the production of the Bolide and the W16 Mistral and continuing with the unveiling of our new model in June.”

All eyes will now be on the reveal of the Chiron successor which is set to take place in June.

words: Mike Booth
pictures & video: Bugatti